Carpenter&#39;s aligning tool



Dec. 12, 1967 w. J. VROMAN CARPENTER'S ALIGNING TOOL Filed Sept. 7, 1965 I FIG.I

FIG. 5

FIG. 5

m/vsn/rok WALTER J. VROMAN United States Patent 3,357,464 CARPENTERS ALIGNING TOOL Walter J. Vroman, 2630 SW. 13th St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33312 Filed Sept. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 485,422 1 Claim. (Cl. 145-1) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechnical carpenters assist tool, used when wood structural framing, having an instant clamp fastening device, set on a given mark, for the purpose of joining two perpendicular wood members together until toe nailing of said members can be achieved. The tool comprising a V-shaped body adapted to fit over a nominal dimension of one of the framing members, a serrated wedge carried by the body member and operative to clamp the same to said framing member, and a lever cooperatively associated with said body member and said wedge to release the wedge and the body member from said framing member.

The invention relates to a specific tool used by carpenters or any person or persons, doing wood framing on construction of almost any type. It acts as a bumping and aligning device, when joining two framing members perpendicular to each other, allowing one member of the framing to be toenailed at an accurate position with less effort. Used for positioning studding, rafters, beams, and holding up of wood framing headers while nailing securely.

The present invention is equipped with a serrated wedge device contained within a channel bar holder shaped so as to fit over a nominal dimension framing lumber member. The serrated wedge when activated by use of a hammer, forms a sort of a quickie clamp while nailing the perpendicular framing members together, and is equipped with a lever for instant removal of wedge and clamp.

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the assist tool already in position and receiving the both framing mem bers to be joined by toenailing at the side of the framing member opposite to the tool side, such as in framing of wood partitions.

FIGURE 2 shows a perspective drawing of the assist tool, similar to FIGURE 1, but used in framing of pitched rafters joined to a roof ridge.

FIGURE 3 shows an enlarged side plan of the assist tool mounted on the wood framing member.

FIGURE 4 shows an end plan view of the tool mounted on the lower wood framing member, with the perpendicular framing member against the tool and the toenail in place.

FIGURE 5 shows a top plan view of the assist tool mounted on the wood framing member.

FIGURE 6 shows the cross section of the main body of the assist tool which is formed of channel metal material.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the Carpenters Framing Assist Tool consists of a main body 1, of channel metal shaped as shown with slots 12, and 13, to receive wedge 2 and lift handle 3, with a pin 4 through the side walls of the channel, and through a hole to receive same at the end of lift handle 3. Body 1 is also serrated on the vertical channel walls opposite serrated edge of wedge 2. Wedge 2 is fastened to the lift handle 3 with pin 5, with serrated end of wedge 2 placed into body 1 through slot 13. Wings 6, 7, 8, and 9 fastened perpendicular to sides of body 1 protruding 3,357,464 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 outward from body 1 in a fixed position, are used to align the second framing member to be fastened perpendicular to the first framing member to which the assist tool is fastened, whether it be on either side of the assist tool.

When using the assist tool to fasten or align a framing member 11, perpendicular to the framing member 10, to which either side of the assist tool is placed onto a given mark on member 10, member 11 is placed directly against the side of body 1, allowing member 11 to be toenailed or fastened permanently, Without slippage of said members.

The assist tool is used by placing the body 1 of the tool directly onto the given mark placed on member 10, then secured onto same, by striking wedge 2, through the instrumentality of a hammer, driving wedge 2 into member 16 and fastening same, with side of body 1, directly onto the given mark on member 10.

The second member 11 is then placed onto the given mark on member 16, directly against the side of body 1 of the assist tool, and between the stationary wing members 6 and 8, or 7 and 9, according to which side of the assist tool, member 11 is placed onto member 10.

This aligning having taken place, and both members 10 and 11 secured by toenailing of member 11, at the opposite side of member 11 to the assist tool, through and into member 10, the assist tool can then be removed by activating lever 3 in an upward direction either by hand pressure or with the hammer instrument. In this way lever 3 pivoting on pin 4 placed through the side walls of the channel body 1, activates wedge 2, by pin connection 5, positioned through wedge 2 and lever 3, will raise the serrated wedge 2 in a loosened position on member 10. The assist tool can then be lifted from member 10 and placed elsewhere for another cycle of its use.

The purpose of the assist tool is for prevention of members 10 and 11 from moving onto a given mark, acting as a bumper for member 11 and also aligning the edges of members 10 and 11 evenly.

What is claimed is:

A carpenters assist tool for positioning two framing members perpendicular to each other, said tool comprising a U shaped base member defined by an elongated portion and a pair of depending arms at opposite ends thereof, said elongated portion having a through slot adjacent one of said arms, a wedge having a serrated surface received by said slot and operative upon movement therein to grip one of said frame members between said serrated surface and a surface of the other of said arms, a lever pivotally connected to said elongated portion and said wedge to slide said wedge in said slot, said elongated member having parallel side surfaces for aligning and positioning against either side surface thereof the other of said frame members with a predetermined line on said one of said frame members, and each of said side surfaces having at opposite ends thereof a pair of oppositely extending wing members for engagement With both edges of said other of said frame members to prevent lateral movement thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,111,535 9/1914 Greve. 2,718,247 9/1955 Kalina 145-1 FOREIGN PATENTS 725,756 3/1955 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

R. V. PARKER, In, Assistant Examiner. 

